Re: Iran\'s Past
The problem with buying Leo2A4 is that while it may be good in the short term you are going to end up with a block obsolescence issue in the long run to deal with, as both would have roughly the same age and tech level.
"That's where cheap surplus Leo2s and M-60 upgrade packs come in play. There should be at least 500 60s tanks to replace, upgrade and/or convert."
For modernization purposes the focus would rather be on the 900-1000 (or whatever, sources seems to differ ) or so Chieftain tanks in service, rather than the M60. I would guess some upgrade, perhaps locally made, to bring them to standars comparable to those of late marks of Chieftain. Then some thought could be given to the M60. M48/47 would be definitively junked. I would say 1000 Challenger, which would still account for a reduction from the original order which was for 1200 Shir 2 IIRC, the 900 or so upgraded Chieftain, say a couple of hundreds of
Chally 2 or whatever and some M60. That is nothing to laugh at. The total armed forces strenght was 500.000 by 1977 IIRC but I cannot cross check ATM.
"brand new 4th-generation tank"
Do you mean T-95/140mm gunned western tanks?
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